Great Moments in Foreign Policy

I think the sanctions will have some impact. . . . It could help weaken the regime. It could create some serious economic problems. Will it deter them from their ambitions with regards to nuclear capability? Probably not.”

In an hour-long interview on Wednesday, Obama made clear that forging a new relationship with Iran would be a major element of a broad effort to stabilize Iraq. And he vowed to engage in “aggressive personal diplomacy” with Iran and other regional powers as he withdrew American combat forces in Iraq.

Obama said that Iran had been “acting irresponsibly” by supporting Shiite militant groups in Iraq. He also stressed that Tehran’s suspected nuclear weapons program and its support for “terrorist activities” were serious concerns and that “we expect them to desist from those actions.”

But Obama said that “changes in behavior” by Iran should be met with gestures by the United States, beginning with possible membership in the World Trade Organization.

“We are willing to talk about certain assurances in the context of them showing some good faith,” he said. “I think it is important for us to send a signal that we are not hell bent on regime change, just for the sake of regime change, but expect changes in behavior. And there are both carrots and there are sticks available to them for those changes in behavior.”

And now who else is Obama pimping to join the TWO? That would be Russia. You know, now that Hillary’s pushed that reset button. Just last week:

President Barack Obama said Thursday he will help Russia accelerate its bid to join the World Trade Organization, and told Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that he hopes Russia can clear final hurdles to accession as early as September 30.